South Range’s Rohan: Mixed Reaction to Hybrid Approach

Steve Rohan, principal at South Range High School, is coming back strong, along with his family. Learn more about South Range at the district’s website.

What are some ways your district is dealing with the effects of COVID-19?

South Range is starting the year by utilizing a hybrid model.  We have a burgundy group and a gold group broken down alphabetically. Burgundy meets face-to-face on Mondays and Wednesdays and every other Friday. Gold goes Tuesdays and Thursdays and every other Friday.

What’s been the reaction from students and parents so far?

There have been mixed reactions from everyone, including parents, students, staff, administration and the board of education members. We are all very passionate when it comes to our children and we all want what is best. We felt that starting with this model gives us the best opportunity to implement new requirements, get kids and staff re-acclimated, and most importantly, it enables us to provide as few academic disruptions as we can for those choosing to be here for face-to-face instruction. Our goal at this point is to prepare to return to five days a week face-to-face and not have to go fully remote.

What impact has the outbreak had on you personally?

I have had a few family members, as well as close friends, test positive and when I first heard the news, it made me take a step back because of all the information that is out there. It definitely makes you worry and it is something that has been on everyone’s mind for a long time. It adds lots of stress and anxiety to almost everything we do and everywhere we go. Life just doesn’t seem as simple as it did a year ago. But, hopefully when we get through this, it will make us all realize and be thankful for the things we take for granted.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

I’m mostly trying to keep those who are most vulnerable, safe. My mom has a hard time sometimes dealing with this because of the generation she comes from, but, every time we hear of someone we know getting it, reality sets in again.